Aruba Film & Photography Production Services & Camera Crews

Are you a media company, brand, ad agency or production company looking for film / photography production support or shooting crew in Aruba? Contact us for trusted fixers, producers, directors, DoPs, videographers, photographers, and full shooting crews tailored for the specific needs of your project.

Filming in Aruba

For an introduction to shooting in Aruba see below notes on film locations, permits, when to shoot, unique local stories, costs, tax incentives, crews, talent, equipment, communications, art department, studios, post facilities, visas and work permits for filming, transport, film-friendly accommodation, and safety advice.

Aruba Film Locations

Aruba is an island and a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It lies only 29 kilometres (18 mi) north of Venezuela. Collectively, the islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao form the Dutch Caribbean.

Unlike much of the Caribbean region, Aruba has a dry climate with an arid, cactus-strewn landscape. The northern and eastern coasts are more rugged and untouched than the rest of the island. The island’s interior has rolling hills.

Aruba has aloe plantations. Other than that, the island has very little of the agricultural looks that are common to other Caribbean countries.

Aruba is best known for its palm-lined, white sand beaches and turquoise seas. Beaches of note include Eagle Beach, Rodgers Beach, Baby Beach, Palm Beach, Andicuri Beach, Arashi Beach, Boca Catalina, Dos Playa, Druif Beach, Surfside Beach, Manchebo Beach, Rodger’s Beach, Hadicurari Beach, and Malmok Beach, to name a few.

Oranjestad is the capital and main entry point by air. It is known for its charming Dutch Colonial architecture.  Film locations include Fort Zoutman, City Hall, Royal Plaza, Plaza Simon Bolivar, Plaza Betico Croes, Plaza Daniel Leo, Archeological Museum, Aruba Cruise Terminal, and Queen Beatrix International Airport. Kingdom of Sweden (2018) partly filmed in Oranjestad.

Arikok National Park is known for its beaches including Dos Playa Beach, Conchi Natural Pool, and Boca Prins Beach where turtles nests. Caves of note include Fontein Cave, and Quadirikiri Cave. Mount Jamanota is the highest point on the island. Arikok National Park is home to reptiles such as cascabels, santaneros, and Aruban whiptail lizards.

California Lighthouse is a beautiful film location.

Hooiberg is a volcanic formation.

Antilla Shipwreck is an underwater film location.

Aruba has vast resort complexes such as the Ritz-Carlton, Barcelo, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Renaissance Wind Creek, and Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa.

Aruba has one of the largest oil refineries in the Caribbean.

Aruba Film Location Permits

Although there is no official film permit, having a letter of support from relevant government authorities is helpful when seeking permission to film around the island. Our Arubian fixer will require a project synopsis and crew details. The letter of support usually takes about a week to get. With this in hand small productions can film for free, without issue in most public locations as long as they are not taking exclusive use of public space. Larger productions that seek to control traffic, lay track or set up big lights, for instance, will require additional permits and consultation with police and local authorities. Filming in national parks such as Arikok National Park requires an extra level of permitting and additional costs. Please contact us for any more location specific information.

When To Shoot?

Aruba lies outside Hurricane Alley. Its dry, arid climate means it offers visiting productions reliable warm, sunny weather, all year round. For monthly weather statistics please see here.

Carnival runs from January to March.

Aruba is a predominately Christian country so those holidays are observed.

Public holidays may affect timing, availability and costs. See here for public holiday dates in Aruba.

Unique Local Stories

Brands are looking for local stories that match their brand narrative. Our local teams are a great lead for sourcing those unique stories and characters.

If you are looking for stories for your next shoot, send us your brief and we will pitch you ideas.

If you have a unique story you would like to pitch to a brand anywhere in the world, pitch us your idea. We have well-established processes to ensure that your ideas are properly seen and protected.

Costs & Tax Incentives

Costs. Local costs are fairly expensive. Since little to no filming infrastructure exists all key crew and equipment must be brought in from abroad. Similarly, since little is grown on the island, food imports are also relied on. Our Arubian fixer will negotiate local deals and provide the appropriate level of production support to match every budget.

Tax Incentives. At present there are no tax incentives for foreign commercials or films shooting in Aruba.

Film Crew & Talent

Crews. Aruba has a very small pool of directors, directors of photography and stills photographers. Key crew are best brought in.

Contact us if you are looking for a director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, stills photographer, or any other film crew for your shoot in Aruba.

If you are an exceptionally talented Arubian director, DoP / cinematographer, videographer / camera operator, or stills photographer, introduce yourself here.

Talent day rates and buyouts are negotiable.

Dutch is the official language.

The population is mix of Dutch European, Amerindian, and African. It’s a very small country so the pool of talent is limited. All other talent looks need to be brought in from abroad. English is widely spoken.

Aruba Film Equipment

Equipment. There are no camera, lighting and grip equipment houses in Aruba. Some locals own basic gear they may be willing to rent. Aruba is an ATA carnet country. Our local fixer in Aruba is able to assist with gear and product importation if needed.

Communications. Communication is key. Our agility and global experience allows us to customise the right communications systems for every shoot.

Web posted casting, scouting, and videoconferencing.

For clients that are unable to attend set we offer a virtual video village solution. This dedicated and secure high-resolution video streaming platform allows clients from one or multiple timezones to view setups without compromise and to participate in real-time with the team on set. Separate systems can be set up for the discrete conversations that are required to make a job run right. Working remotely with our local teams reduces your content production costs, turnaround times, carbon footprint, and risks associated with unpredictable global events.

Art Department, Studios, Backlots, & Post Production

Art department and set construction is very basic.

Studios and backlots. None exist at present.

Post Production. None available locally. Post abroad.

Visas & Work Permits

Crew travelling on western passports (see countries coloured blue) are allowed visa-free travel to Aruba for stays of up to 90 days. There are no special work permits required for film crews. If necessary, to ensure ease of entry, our Arubian fixer / service producer will arrange for the Tourism Board to inform customs and immigration of your visit.

Transport & Accommodation

Transportation Infrastructure. Main roads are in an average condition. Several international airlines service direct flights.

Accommodation. Contact us for recommended film friendly hotels in Aruba. For longer stays we can also organize serviced apartments.

Final Notes

Safety. Aruba is a very safe and reliable place for foreign productions to visit. See here for up to date travel advice.

Down Time. Grab a beer at Charlie’s Bar.

Projects. For an example of TV commercials, stills campaigns, online content, corporate videos, virtual reality 360 content, feature films, TV series and documentaries shot in Aruba, please see below:

Hire Aruba Production Support & Shooting Crew

If you are looking for a film or photographic production service company, line producer or fixer for your shoot in Aruba, please contact us.

If you are looking for a shooting crew for your shoot in Aruba, such as a director, DoP, photographer, videographer (cameraman / camera operator), camera assistant (focus puller), sound operator, grip, gaffer, stylist, hair and makeup, PA / runner, production driver, please contact us.

We are able to provide you with answers, references and bids quickly.